Improvement in corsets



E. K. BULLOGK. Corset.

Patented Nov N'FErERS. PHOTO-u'muGRAPHER. WASHINGTON, D. C.

UNITED STATES PATEEEWQETIQE.

` E. Korn BULLOcK, or DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

IMPROVEMENT IN Co Rs ETS.

Specification forming part of LettersPatent No. 221,393, dated November11, 1879 application iled September 24, 1879.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, E. KoYL BULLocK, of Detroit, in the county of Wayneand State of Michigan, have invented a new and valuable Improvement inCorsets; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear,and exact description of the construction and operation of the same,reference beinghad to the annexed drawings, making a part of thisspecication, and to the letters and ii'gures of reference markedthereon. Figure l of the drawings is a representatio of the upperportion of a female with my improved corset in position. Fig. 2 is aside view of the corset. Fig. 3 is a side view of the corset, showing amodification of the curved slit. Fig. 4 is a portion of a corset,showing the semicircular stays in the hip-piece. Fig. 5 isa detail view,showing the stays more fully.

This invention relates to that class of corsets having adjustable hip-pieces5 and the object of the improvement is to draw the laced portionsdown upon the hips to prevent the lower edges of the corset frompuckering, and

at the same time leave that portion of the corset over the hip-bonessmooth, so that a graceful sloping forni shall be given to the hips ofthe wearer;

It is a well-known fact that corsets are worn by ladies for the purposeof improving their figures.

Heretofore the hip portions of the corset have been provided withvertical or straight slits, and adjusted by means of lacing directlyover the hip-bones, and consequently left an unsmooth surface. rlhisconstruction of a corset is objectionable, for the reason that thevertical or straight slits and lacing coming directly over the hip-bonescauses a puckering at these points as well as presenting an unsmoothsurface.

My improvement is designed to overcome j these difficulties, andtherefore it consists in so constructing the lower portion of each halfof the corset with a quadrant-shaped piece with lacing means.

It also consists in the quadrant-shaped pieces provided withcorrespondingly-shaped stays or whalebones arranged in a proper mannerin the pieces, so as to conform to the outlines or contour of the hip;and it also consists in the novel construction and arrangement of thelparts, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

In the annexed drawings, forming a part of this specification, theletter A represents a corset composed of the two halves, which areunited by the ordinary lacing behind and by zany ordinary fastening infront.

In the manufacture of the corsets, which is in the usual way, the sideportion of each half is cut at the lower end, commencing at the frontnear the busk and extending rearwardly in a curve to a point under orbeyond the arms, completing the quarter of a circle, or nearly so. Thatportion of the now quadrant-shaped piece B between the letters c dremains a part and parcel of the corset halt' C, substantially asindicated by the drawings.

The curved edge of the quadrant-shaped piece and the curved edge of thecorset-body are strengthened by the 4double row of curved stays orwha-lebones b.` Between the double row of curved stays are arranged, atsuitable intervals, eyelets c, to receive a lacing.

rPhat portion of the corsetin the shape of a quadrant or the quarter ofa circle is filled at suitable intervals with curved stays e,corresponding substantially with the piece in which 'they are secured.These stays are usually made of whalebones, and are shaped by anysuitable means, so as to readily conform to the outlines of the hipswhen the corsetis adjusted to the wearer.

It will be observed that the stays all start from the lower edge of thecorset and follow the curve of the quadrant-shaped pieces, the objectsofwhich are to obtain lirmness, a smooth surface over the hipbones, andfullness of figure.

The size and shape of the lower portion of the corset may be varied bytightening or loosening the lacings, and the graceful sloping of thehips is accomplished by adjusting the quadrant-shaped pieces over thehip-bones and tightening the lacings at the lower ends of the curvedslits, which draws the parts together closely, and gives greaterconvexity to the parts of the body called hips.

In lieu of the stays in the quadrant-shaped pieces a strong fabric ofdouble thickness may be substituted to secure firm ness and elasticity'.

Fig. 4 ofthe drawings shows the stays of a l semicireular forni.Therefore I do not wish to confine myself to the precise arrangement orconstruction herein described, as slight changes may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is-

1. A corset having quadrant-shaped hippieces adapted to be adjusted andlaced over the hips of the wearer, substantially as described.

2. A corset having quadrant-shaped hippieces lled with stayscorresponding with the shape of the hip-pieces, said quadrant-shapedpieces with stays capable of being adjusted and laced over the hips ofthe wearer substanti-ally as set forth.

3. The combination, in a corset, ofthe body half having a curved portionstrengthened by stays and provided with lacing means, and aquadrant-shaped hip-piece provided with lacing means, substantially asdescribed, and for the purpose set forth.

4. A corset of the class described, consisting substantially of thefollowing elements, to wit: the body having a curved portion describingthe quadrant of a circle, or nearly so, and provided with a plurality ofeyelets, a quadrant-shaped piece forming a part ot' the corset-body andprovided with a plurality of eye lets, and a lacing for adjusting theparts toget-her, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name.

E. KOYL BULLOCK.

Witnesses JNO. B. CoRLIss, FRANK D. ANDREWS.

